“If a person is observed by a police officer riding a bike on a public road in South Australia without a helmet, the police officer ... may fine the person for not wearing a helmet,” a spokeswoman told The Australian.http://road.cc/content/news/119943-sout ... otest-ride

I highly doubt the police would inform Freestyle Cyclists they will not fine riders, and then do so.

Biffidus wrote:“If a person is observed by a police officer riding a bike on a public road in South Australia without a helmet, the police officer ... [i]may fine the person for not wearing a helmet,” a spokeswoman told The Australian.[/i]http://road.cc/content/news/119943-sout ... otest-ride

Operative word is "may", and if you care about repealing the MHLs, its not a particularly forceful one.

I highly doubt the police would inform Freestyle Cyclists they will not fine riders, and then do so.

Biffidus wrote:“If a person is observed by a police officer riding a bike on a public road in South Australia without a helmet, the police officer ... [i]may fine the person for not wearing a helmet,” a spokeswoman told The Australian.[/i]http://road.cc/content/news/119943-sout ... otest-ride

Operative word is "may", and if you care about repealing the MHLs, its not a particularly forceful one.

And I have about the same degree of doubt that the police would issue a press release specifically on that ride stating that they may. And certainly nothing in it to indicate anything other than they have their eyes on the ride with an attitude that the riders should still obey the law.

The ride can't even got onto the Fringe program.

Perhaps you had reason to think it was OK when you initially posted. But now you are aware of the police attitude yet you are suggesting fairly strongly to others that it is OK to ignore it. On the chance that the police do, indeed, issue fines, are you willing to pick up the tab?

Last edited by ColinOldnCranky on Sun May 25, 2014 7:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

While Australia’s nationwide compulsory helmet laws are often singled out as being a deterrent to cycling, Bicycle Network Victoria spokesman Garry Brennan told the Guardian that it was the perception of danger on the roads that discouraged people from getting on a bike.

Is BNV the group that does not think we need a 1m rule?

If, by not compelling riders to wear helmets, prospective riders form a perception that riding does NOT have an element of danger then I am all for helmets.

Cycling DOES have danger. And we should agitate to reduce it generally and ride in a manner to reduce our individual exposure to it.

But to advocate cycling by hiding the dangers that do exist is not good. People SHOULD know there is some danger. It is then up to them to ride or not.

Perhaps you had reason to think it was OK when you initially posted. But now you are aware of the police attitude yet you are suggesting fairly strongly to others that it is OK to ignore it.

The ride can't get on the official program because its promoting the contravention of a misguided law. Organisations are very weary of such things, because they have lawyers concerned with liability issues. Thats the same reason I can't ride helmet-less on charity rides and other types of official rides, even though I ride helmet-less everywhere else. Joining this ride under discussion without a helmet is obviously breaking the law and if you really care about that, don't go or go but wear a helmet - make up your own mind, if you are an adult.

btw you make too many assumptions about what I do or don't know and what you think I am advising. What I do know for sure is that organisations like the police operate at different levels eg operational levels and public relations levels and that I can imagine it easy for a police spokesperson to suggest breaking the law will be prosecuted while operational police may advise they will not prosecute. I'll reiterate again that Freestyle Cyclists say police will not fine, I doubt they would make that up, and I doubt that the police would go back on their advice - but if they did it would not necessarily be a bad thing because it will give greater public profile to the cause of repealing the MHL.

On the chance that the police do, indeed, issue fines, are you willing to pick up the tab?

Why on earth would I do that? You are an adult, pay your own fine (or challenge it in court), just like I do.

While Australia’s nationwide compulsory helmet laws are often singled out as being a deterrent to cycling, Bicycle Network Victoria spokesman Garry Brennan told the Guardian that it was the perception of danger on the roads that discouraged people from getting on a bike.

Is BNV the group that does not think we need a 1m rule?

If, by not compelling riders to wear helmets, prospective riders form a perception that riding does NOT have an element of danger then I am all for helmets.

Cycling DOES have danger. And we should agitate to reduce it generally and ride in a manner to reduce our individual exposure to it.

But to advocate cycling by hiding the dangers that do exist is not good. People SHOULD know there is some danger. It is then up to them to ride or not.

Most of what you say in this post is wrong or ill thought out, but its off topic here. If you agree I will respond in the Helmet thread under Advocacy and Safety.

SA Police won’t fine cyclists who don’t wear helmets at Linear Park protestPOLICE won’t fine cyclists who fail to wear a helmet during a protest ride along Linear Park, despite the fact they will be breaking the law.Protest organisers Freestyle Cyclists say the decision is a victory for “common sense’’ and invited people to take part in the ride between the Adelaide Convention Centre and Henley Beach along Linear Park from 3.30pm on Thursday.Police confirmed their position last night, having sent an email to organisers earlier in the day saying a decision regarding helmet law enforcement would be made on [last] Thursday.

Several comments from motorists complaining about the ride. The poor dears, as in Perth, stick on an event at either the Perth Arena/Subiaco Oval/WACA, and you get similar grid lock, or have a car parked in a clear-way (which happens daily), and that is OK.

If you then substitute, the 17,000 cyclists who ride in daily to the Perth CBD and they each drove in, or used public transport, see what impact that would have..

Several comments from motorists complaining about the ride. The poor dears, as in Perth, stick on an event at either the Perth Arena/Subiaco Oval/WACA, and you get similar grid lock, or have a car parked in a clear-way (which happens daily), and that is OK.

If you then substitute, the 17,000 cyclists who ride in daily to the Perth CBD and they each drove in, or used public transport, see what impact that would have..